Dear Congress, Now is NOT the Time to Cut Arts Funding
Washington, DC (June 28, 2024): Today, the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies marked up its Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Appropriations bill, which funds the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). After two years of flat funding for the program, in a time when arts are needed more than ever, the House Appropriations Subcommittee has proposed a slight funding cut for the NEA to $203.8 million, compared with the current $207 million funding level and the Biden Administration’s budget request of $210 million for the upcoming fiscal year.
The Creative Coalition is strongly opposed to the proposed budget cuts and will continue to advocate for more funding. In April of this year, The Creative Coalition brought a delegation of entertainment industry leaders to Washington for its #RightToBearArts Capitol Hill Day to call on Congress to provide $211 million for the National Endowment for the Arts for FY 2025. The House Appropriations Committee’s proposed cuts would be a setback for the many organizations that rely on federal funding to provide essential arts programs to the public, particularly those in underserved and high-poverty communities.
“The arts are not merely extracurricular but an existential component of developing the creativity, freedoms, and imagination necessary for healthy living and thriving communities. The House Appropriations Committee’s proposed cuts are shortsighted and would be a step backward in our collective efforts to invest in vibrant, economically thriving communities,” stated President of The Creative Coalition Tim Daly. “In study after study, it is proven that exposure to visual arts, music, theatre, and dance makes our country’s most vulnerable populations — from the youngest to the oldest Americans — happier, healthier, and successful in life.”
“Art is the heartbeat of a community. It connects us, inspires us, and often drives economic growth. Cutting arts funding is not just a blow to artists and cultural organizations; this a blow to the entire community and the collective economy,” expressed Robin Bronk, CEO of The Creative Coalition. “The proposed funding cut is part of an alarming and negative trend across the country for state and local governments to slash arts funding like we saw last week in Florida. We urge the House Appropriations Committee to reconsider the profound impact of this decision.”
The Creative Coalition calls on Members of Congress and Senators to reject these proposed cuts and, instead, support increased NEA funding to properly address the needs of arts communities across the country. Our elected officials must understand that NEA funding is a smart investment that brings countless benefits and creates a wide range of opportunities for the young and old from across all walks of life.
We urge all Americans to join us in raising their voice against these proposed funding cuts. Please call your Representative and Senators at 202-224-3121 to urge them to oppose cuts to NEA. By joining forces, we can make our collective voices heard and defend every citizen’s #RightToBearArts.
About The Creative Coalition: Established in 1989 by leading figures in the arts, The Creative Coalition stands as the foremost 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan arts and entertainment organization. Under actor and President of The Creative Coalition Tim Daly, the organization educates members on significant public issues and spearheads impactful public service campaigns like #RightToBearArts to affirm the power of the arts. The Creative Coalition’s Entertainment Industry Commission on Family Caregiving gives a voice to those who are, have been, or will be caregivers. Chaired by Yvette Nicole Brown, the Commission amplifies the narratives of caregivers through the power and unique platforms of the arts, fostering an environment where their stories can be shared and spotlighted. Discover more at www.TheCreativeCoalition.org
Stay connected with The Creative Coalition for updates on future events via Instagram (@thecreativecoalition) and Facebook (The Creative Coalition).
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